After two years in the making, Mugo’s Universe: The Ritual of Light is finally out in the world. I’m very excited I’m finally saying this out loud!

I’ve illustrated many books over the years, more than fifteen at this point, but this one is different. This one is mine, fully. I wrote it, illustrated it, imagined it. It’s the first time I’ve been both the author and illustrator, and that alone makes it feel like a completely new creative chapter.

Visit Mugo's Universe

If you’ve been following my work, you already know I tend to work fast. Some books I finished in three months, others took nine, other twelve, all depending on the creative process and book/client schedules.

This one took two years, possibly because every decision, layout, brushstroke and word was mine alone.

What Mugo’s Universe is about

This book is the first part of a series called Mugo’s Universe. Each book will tell its own story, but all of them will be interconnected, like little worlds orbiting the same sun.

The first story follows Mugo, a small bat on a solitary and quiet, but urgent mission. It’s a story told entirely in the dark, unfolding at night, when only candlelight and instinct guide the way.

Something that makes this book special is that it’s fully monochrome. No colors, just light and shadow. I wanted to see if a story could glow even when it’s stripped down to its quietest tones.

I made everything in Procreate, all spreads, both of the covers, the interior pages, using a mix of my own custom brushes and Procreate’s native ones. If you’re an illustrator, you probably know the magic of that one perfect brush that just feels right.

Beyond the book

Because I can’t stop at one thing, I’ve also been working on toys, stickers (both physical and digital), and a few small experiments like keychains and figurines. There’s even a plushie concept on the way. Mugo is slowly escaping the pages and turning into a small universe of his own.

You can find everything on the website, from GIFs on Giphy and stickers to more about the world of the book and what’s coming next. I’ll be also adding downloadables, coloring pages, and a few extra things for anyone who wants to step into this world a little deeper.

And for those who prefer to read in their own way, The Ritual of Light is available as hardcover, paperback, and e-book. Personally, the hardcover is my favorite.

A small behind-the-scenes

Before Mugo’s Universe became a printed book, there were piles of sketches, test prints, and pencil notes scattered all over my desk. The kind of chaos that only makes sense to you when you’re deep in a project.

I kept all of it, the thumbnails, the first draft of the storyboard, the messy annotated pages. They remind me of how the story grew and how long it took to get here.

There’s something strangely grounding about seeing your own process and tiny steps, telling you what to fix or move or erase. It’s like leaving breadcrumbs for your future self to find.

What’s next

Book two is already in progress, and it’s going to be very different, a colorful forest, vibrant and alive. I can’t share much yet, but it’s planned for early next year (2026).

Until then, you can step into Mugo’s world through the book, the website, and all the little side projects that are coming along with it.

This story started as a small spark on a sketchbook page. Now it’s a book, a world, and hopefully a beginning of something much bigger.

Thank you for being here and for caring about stories like this one.

GET YOUR COPY ;)

I thought on talking about some of the topics that have been on my mind lately. Creating content, coming up with new things, fresh ideas, passion projects and enjoying calm Netflix evenings. Have a read!

Menu for today:

• What’s wrong with Socials, why I’m making vlogs?

• Things are slow? Personal projects are the way

• Sometimes it’s just Too Much!.

Instagram vs. YouTube

Those of you who follow me on Instagram might have noticed that I’ve been less and less on there, and dedicating more and more time to YouTube. Why?

Because it’s frustrating to be throwing things into the ether and not even hear an echo. And it works both ways - out of 500 artists I follow, the algorithm shows me only 5% of it. Even with all my stubbornness and perseverance and even if I determinedly scroll until the end of the feed, I still miss 95% of the content I willingly signed up for and truly want to see.

Plus, music to add to your photos?? Instagram, is it the early 2000s?? Who else has flashbacks to the first www pages blasting music at you and having to find the culprit among many open tabs, looking for the loudspeaker icon?

I complained, now I feel better. I’ve been extremely grateful to people who have been interacting with my content over there, and I’m not going anywhere - mostly because I feel like I don’t want to leave a place I’ve been working hard on for a couple of years. But, like many of you, I like doing things on my own terms. If I see something is not working, I’m gonna try something new or different.

That’s why on my YouTube, next to my old tutorials and ‘knowledge sharing’ videos, you’ll now find long vlogs - simple bits and pieces of life as a professional illustrator, small business owner, but mostly a creative person. Because that’s what I feel like doing. In my latest one, I share how I’ve been working (for a very long time now) on my first ever written and illustrated book, a project that’s very dear to me and that I simply want to share with you.

Somehow, after all the loud, fighting-for-attention, 30-second, quick-to-consume content, I’m craving something slower, calmer, more thoughtful - and that’s what I want to make.

So, if you wanna hear more about:

• the creative process behind an illustrated book

• slow and mindful living and creative practices

• why I don’t recommend (or do I?) having discovery calls with clients - and about marketing strategies in general

• things I love outside of illustration – books, coffee and beautiful places

Go to the video! And let me know what you think in the comments!

Culo Inquieto a.k.a. Restless butt

Being able to communicate with the entire world and talk, argue, listen, sing, read in one language is a beautiful thing that the English language allows us to do.

I always say languages are there for us to communicate and express ourselves, so I’m not the biggest fan of any linguistic barriers people still are trying to enforce or justify.

But from time to time, there are those on-point expressions that simply can’t be translated to another language. ‘Culo inquieto’ is one of them and translated literally it means restless butt*.* In Spanish, it’s a colloquial expression used to describe someone who can't stay still, who is always doing things, moving around, or looking for something to do. And it’s a perfect expression I describe myself with. Constant anxiety to be doing something, and when you do it, wondering if you shouldn’t rather be doing something different… A butt that knows no rest!

And because of being a restless butt, I have a few personal projects in the making. One is my first written book you already heard about in my video above - I can’t wait to see it finished myself and show it to all of you! Alongside that, there’s another project on the pile, and one new social media endeavor I’ve been planning silently in my head and hope to start with pretty soon (for bookworms like me) - when I finally do, I’m gonna report it all over here:)

Putting the restless butt aside, after years of working in the illustration industry, I don’t get tired of it. I love my clients, their projects, and their vision, and I hope to keep on working together as long as it’s possible… but I’d be lying if I said I feel like the phrase “the client is always right” applies to our work. I always believe the best projects come out of a close collaboration, where both sides listen, share their vision, and reach common ground.

I also think that if you work with a professional whose expertise and skills you trust, going in a 180-degree direction contrary to what was recommended by them might not be the best move in the game.

All of that to tell you (once again) that being able to create your own personal projects - where your vision, concepts, and aesthetic can stay faithful to your original idea as the creator, is an amazing thing to have!

This is what motivates me to embark on so many personal initiatives, share my own vision, and remind you that those personal projects ( that sometimes you might be sick of) are an equally important part of your creativity, creative business, and artistic energy as the beautiful client commissions.

Is it Too Much?

I looooove Girls. It was one of my top shows when I was (I almost wrote “a teenager”) a young person transitioning from the teenage to young adult years. It was always mind-blowing to me that Lena Dunham created, wrote, directed and starred in the show being just 25 years old herself!

I always think awkwardness is underrated and majorly underrepresented, but Lena always masters it. The simplicity of how she shows reality, sometimes unfiltered and raw, sometimes intense and exaggerated, is what made me appreciate and love the show so much.

Her characters are strong, flawed, imperfect, weird but somehow totally normal, very memorable. Even the most mundane situations are given a weight that we too often take away from them, making them more beautiful and precious or, on the contrary, more painful and dense. Showing characters as works in progress, finding themselves, often being unlikeable or self-absorbed, simply human, makes the show unique and so different from what’s out there.

This short note was triggered by the recent Netflix premiere of Too Much. (keep on reading, spoilers-free zone!) Instead of binging it, I watched it elegantly - one or two episodes at a time, like a reasonable adult rather than an unhinged teenager vacuuming snacks like a madman, as I always do.

With many of the same actors as in Girls, told in the same narrative and language, this one felt so native to Lena’s voice and storytelling.

I always think the ending is the most difficult part - it can make or break it -and it’s especially true for books, shows and movies. That’s why I never voice my opinion before the curtain is down, deep down on the ground, the lights are out, and the show is over and I have a moment to decompress what I just experienced.

Without a doubt, it’s one of the most unique and original shows out there. But in this one, the ending didn’t work for me. The last episode was a bit hard to swallow, reminding me how I also tend to ignore the last season of Girls every time I rewatch it (and I do it roughly once a year :))

I’m not sure which one of us, whether it’s Lena or myself, is being too naive about how we want things, relationships and situations to turn out, but in the case of Too Much, I was hoping for things to end differently.

I’m happy to have watched another one of Lena’s creations, but it won’t be my comfort or rewatch show.

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

This week we have a very short post. It’s all about doing nothing or trying to do nothing. And there’s a few things more!

Menu for today:

• How do you manage to slow down and rest?

• A tool built for me and for you!

A Slow Week in My Life

Who else works too much and can’t stop? Who else knows it’s important to take breaks, but pushes through anyway? And who likes chilling and taking some time off to actually… enjoy?

And there’s more: how often do you actually do nothing? And if you practice doing nothing - how do you even do it? Is this even a thing? Can you actually do nothing…?

If you’re anything like me, you might also need a break :) And as always, I promise you, it will do you good!

I took over a week off, completely and entirely. My fingers didn’t touch the tablet for 10 days straight. The lid of my laptop stayed closed and collected some dust. All non-essential emails had to wait for me. Instead, I was walking long kilometers every day, to my multiple destinations of getting another coffee / pastry / book / delicious meal. I indulged myself with sweet treats, reading without thinking about what time it was, lying still with my dog, watching series, staring at the sun and listening to the ice cubes clunking in the glass of my delicious coffee.

Being a freelancer gives you so much freedom – which, in my opinion, is the best thing. But on the other hand, many freelancers are freelancing because they’re doing something they’re utterly passionate about, and it gets even more evident in the case of creatives – which means it’s literally impossible to disconnect from your work, because your head produces, cooks, digests and handles tons of creative ideas, to-dos, shoulds and shouldn’ts, have-to’s and can’ts constantly.

It was absolutely unnecessary to leave my studio, home, Amsterdam and the country to do that, but it made it so much easier to disconnect from my everyday surroundings. Moving for a moment back to Spain helped, with much-needed sun exposure and amazing food intake. I felt pampered, refreshed and a bit more relaxed.

So I invite you to take a moment off and hang out with me in my first week of many in Barcelona.

Maybe it’s something for you?

I’ve been going on and on for the past year and a half about my artists coaching program. This piece is not about that, but it’s something my mentorship practice **actually ** inspired.

I’ve been having 1:1 sessions with illustrators looking for help, guidance, and creative or strategic support. To organize that in a professional and sleek way, I used a booking tool integrated to my website, based on an ongoing monthly payment. Since I open the cohorts every 3-4 months, I receive the payments around those dates, but I want the artists I work with to have the freedom and option of booking their ongoing sessions as it suits them - which simply means I had to pay a pretty elevated fee every month just to keep the booking integration open.

This booking tool was quite complicated, with features I didn’t need at all, and on some occasions, it was unclear for the illustrators to navigate - still, it was the most ‘seamless’ option out there.

So my husband, who has 1.000 ideas per minute, grabbed his computer and built an alternative for me. And anyone out there, really. There are no fees necessary to keep the booking page alive during slower months as anyone can sign for free with no monthly costs, and has no unnecessary features for freelancers and professionals who offer online services - it’s super basic and super easy to use (“still in beta so might be buggy” he says). So a couple of most relevant things:

• It has a plan with no monthly cost, so you only pay a tiny fee if you get paid

• It has a Pro plan with more features

• It has Stripe and Paypal (soon) so you can accept many forms of payment

• Integrates with Google Calendar (beta)

• It has your own branded booking page + @username

• It works for one session or multiple ones with the same booking code

• Let you set your own availability

• You can issue complementary booking codes (gifts or to include in other products)

• You can create services in your own currency

• Super simple to use, two clicks to buy, two clicks to book

• Modern and simple ᯓ★

It syncs with Stripe (PayPal next) and Google Calendar and lets people book time with you directly, once they chose a product and make the payment, book with two clicks literally, one session or many, and under one unique booking code.

It’s not shiny or fancy, but rather simple and straightforward. So if you or anyone you know offers paid professional services that require setting up calls or online meetings, check it out!

The creator (aka my husband) is offering free lifetime accounts to anyone willing to test and give some feedback on the app during this beta round.

Just follow the easy steps:

1. Go to glup.me
2. Create your public profile
3. Set up your details and branding
4. Add one or many products or sessions
5. Drop your glup.me/username link below

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

This week I wanted to share some good tips on how to be extremely organized as an illustrator or creative. I made a full video about it where I share my secrets and habits. The other thing for this week is pricing your work and some cool things coming soon.

Menu for today:

• How to mange 8+ project at the same time

• How to price your work with Quotter.app

• What I’m working on next

Finally I delivered!

I just uploaded the video about organization. It was quite a ride. You guys have been asking for it since before October 2024. I filmed it in March this year, only to sit down to edit the footage in April and realize that half of the video had recorded with no audio… I spent the entire month of May in Spain, and that’s where I re-filmed the missing pieces and glued it all together. Uff!

In this video I take you behind the scenes of my freelance routine. While we move through a slower workday together, I share how I stay on top of multiple creative projects, juggle deadlines, and keep my workspace (and brain) organized. Expect real talk on boundaries, creative flow, and the small habits that keep everything running. Whether you're a fellow artist or just curious how freelancers stay afloat, there’s something in here for you ︎

I talk about how to manage your time when you’re balancing several clients at once, how to track your progress without losing your mind, how knowing your own rhythm can completely change the way you plan your day and what I do during those in-between moments when client work slows down.

It’s part pep talk, part practical guide, all wrapped in the everyday messiness of freelance life. So grab a drink, settle in, and let’s spend the day together. Don’t forget to tell me if it helped - I’m reading you in the comments here and directly under the video :)

A helpful otter

Now, pricing your work is something you struggle with I made a few videos about this. And I know it for a fact, because you guys told me. On various occasions.

So today I want to share a tool called Quotter.app - it’s an otter that quotes for you. Pricing your work has never been cuter! It’s still in beta, so any feedback or thoughts you might have will be super appreciated, so that the Otter - I mean, Quotter - can make better suggestions for you.

Quotter.app can guide you and suggest how you should price your work based on the description of the project you feed it and the work involved. You share the scope of the project, as many details as you can, and Quotter.app will give you some pricing suggestions.

I tested it a few times using my past projects as reference and it worked pretty close to what I charged. You can try it, using the free version. It’s by no means perfect, as it’s mainly intended as a guide, and it considers international pricing (EU/US).

So give Quotter a go and let me know what you think. I’m reading you!

TRY QUOTTER FOR FREE

Please, regardless of the tool, always do your own research. You can always grab the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook to compare, for example.

Disclaimer: this pricing guide tool is for educational purposes and created to promote market transparency. This is not financial or business advice. Please conduct your own research and consider your specific circumstances before making pricing decisions. Pricing models are estimates based on industry standards and may vary.

All the things to come

Officially, I now have more YouTube footage than spare time on my hands. And more ideas for new videos than hours in a day. This is what happens when you spend some time in a sunny place - with each sunbeam, a new idea is born.

Right now, I’m staring at four hours of footage from the past month - and that’s just from one camera (I have two more). With my current workload, I’ve become even more mindful of how I spend my hours, as if every minute was a coin to be invested in some weird invisible stock market.

I don’t think I mentioned it, but I spent the entire last month in Spain, indulging in all the food and sunshine. It was the longest I’ve been away from Amsterdam since I moved here, and I really needed to reset and just breathe some different air.

I got back on Monday (exactly five days ago as I’m posting this) and even though it already feels like it was over a year ago, it really helped. Honestly, leaving your environment for an extended period at least once a year, should be doctor-prescribed and government-funded.

In May, I cut back my work hours to give myself some breathing room. I wrapped up a few projects in Barcelona, including some I’d been working on for over a year. Now, I’m finishing up a few more here in Amsterdam while starting two new ones. I’m being extra intentional about the projects I take on now, to take care of both my professional practice and my mental health - more on that in upcoming videos.

One exciting update: I finally have more time to work on ⋆｡°✩ My Own Illustrated Book Series ⋆｡°✩! I will be publishing in just a few months, and I can’t wait to share it with you - sneak peeks, process clips, illustrations, everything. I hope you’ll be at least half as excited about it as I am :)

Anyway, make sure to follow me on YouTube and IG for everything that’s coming! Talk to you soon! ❥ Asia

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

I’m keeping it short today – mostly because I’m so covered up with work, I can’t decide what to deal with first. And I realized how long it’s been since I caught up with you over here! Let’s get right to it!

Menu for today:

• Let’s go to London

• Our Planet Week 2025 is coming soon!

• Are Instagram challenges even worth it?

London times

In case you missed it – I went to London in February. In short, it was a really nice trip. I worked a lot from my hotel room on a book cover and editorial illustrations, ate takeaway, walked into every Waterstones possible, built an impressive book tower, got on a first-name basis with every London squirrel, found my favourite restaurant, and drank a lot of coffee (ranging from very bad – certain sweet-savoury bakery, I’m looking at you! – to quite good ones, which you’ll see across the video).

What else can I tell you – even though my video uploading is irregular, patchy, and inconsistent, I enjoy it more every time. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll manage to carve out more hours and finally, after all these years, upload every two weeks. Can you imagine?

And since I’ve been filming and uploading a bit more these days, I’ve also been spending more time on YouTube myself. It’s such a lovely change of pace to watch longer-format videos without the hectic scrolling, the trending music, and loud invasive noises coming at you.

That being said, if you have favourite YouTubers – art-related or not – please leave some recs!

Our Planet Week

We’re back - another year, the 6th edition already! Our hosting team is a group of talented and incredibly dedicated artists from all over the world, check them out below!

Our Planet Week 2025 Host Team:

@asiaorlando_ @ananaisdesign @beetleinthehay @emmalopesart @hello.momo.illu @janinarossiter @josie_illustrations @karlasandersart @lamartina.art @melanie.johnsson @raquelrussoo @sarahvonrickenbach @studioamsel @studiolisa @tyymes @zatiff

Each year, choosing and completing the team is quite a challenge - the spots are limited to 19 or 20 artists. This year, we have some very experienced illustrators who’ve already hosted in past editions, and a few new ones whose support and dedication so far has been amazing!

I’m guessing most of you are already familiar with the event, but in case you’re not, check out our most recent Instagram posts - all the info and rules are over there. And stay tuned for the prompt reveal next week!

On April 7th, we’ll be sharing the official list of 5 inspiring themes for you to illustrate over the span of 10 days.

I don’t know about you, but I think that spreading environmental awareness and talking about the climate issues closest to your heart while creating awesome art is a win-win!

I’m also planning to make a video of this year’s edition, and I would looove to include a few of my favorite entries.

So if you weren’t convinced before, I hope you are now - and I can’t wait to see your art!

Please let me know here if you’re joining, so I can match some Substack names to your social media faces :)

#illustrationchallenge ?

Have you noticed that the popularity of Instagram art challenges has been decreasing? Just two or three years ago, it felt like new challenges were popping up every day - so many that artists had a hard time choosing which ones to take part in, especially since so many overlapped.

Now, only a few of the older ones are still going, and you don’t see new ones appearing nearly as often. I guess it’s all Instagram’s fault - the app really isn’t making things easy for us.

To let my internal troll run wild for a moment - there were quite a few challenges I didn’t personally enjoy, for various reasons. One that I particularly dislike is “Draw This in Your Style,” but that’s part of a longer story. The vague concept behind the challenge, combined with a general lack of understanding around copyright and ethics, has led to some weird and unpleasant situations within our small - but especially cool - community.

I’ll admit, organizing Our Planet Week hasn’t been the easiest thing over the years either. Even though we’ve let go of some parts of the event, organizing it still takes up a good chunk of my time every first quarter of the year :)

But after all this time, I’m very attached to the event and don’t want to let it go. The satisfaction of seeing artists come together and create art around the prompts is incredibly gratifying. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve seen artists get commissioned by clients who discovered them through their Our Planet Week entries. How cool is that?

For me personally, one of the best things about taking part in an illustration event (like Our Planet Week, but not limited to it) is the self-imposed obligation to pause and create something just for yourself.

As professional illustrators, we spend so much time translating other people’s ideas into visuals. Hitting pause to make something that’s entirely your own can feel like a much-needed vacation. We all need those breaks to reboot our creativity and imagination.

So whether you’re a pro or a hobbyist, consider joining us. It’s fun and it matters.

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

It’s dark in here. With only 27 hours of sunshine recorded in the entire month of December (according to NL Times, where sunshine is defined as "the sun being slightly visible through the clouds and overall gloom") and even less this ongoing January, there’s nothing better for me to do than to provide you with some solid indoor entertainment recommendations, in case you’re in a similar situation yourselves (I know you’re not though).

The Menu for This Week

🌳 A Podcast Episode

🌳 A Week in The Life

🌳 Do you know Mr Milchick?

A Podcast

I was delighted to be a guest on the by The Illustration Department Podcast, which got published just this Monday. Delighted AND stressed! Only after our chat did I realize that I hadn’t exactly answered all the questions directly - not because I didn’t want to, but because of my funny and previously mentioned auditory processing disorder.

There are no subtitles in a podcast (and I love subtitles, put them on everything please!). There was no preparation on my part, and I love being prepared (#unagi). Plus, being spontaneous and improvising aren’t exactly qualities that describe me as a person (time to overthink everything is appreciated).

But I think we had a lovely conversation about illustration, social media, mental health, the freelance art career, and many other things that just came up naturally.

I’ve been so happy to see that so many different parts of the conversation resonated with you and inspired you, in such a short time! Hearing that something I mentioned, shared, or showed was helpful to fellow artists out there fills me with tremendous satisfaction and makes it all so worthwhile.

So without further ado, tune in! If you’re unfamiliar with the Illustration Department Podcast, you can find it on Spotify or YouTube.

Thanks to Giuseppe for having me as a guest!

A Week(ish) in The Life

I jinxed it. I knew the risk of bragging about how efficient I’ve been recently with filming, editing, and sharing YouTube videos, but I did it anyway. And now, on the day I’m writing this note, a whole month has passed since my last video. Not happy about that!

The main reason for my longer-than-I-wanted YT absence is kind of funny, read on.

One afternoon, while walking home, I found an old candle holder in the trash on a street, picked it up like a crazed raccoon, and brought it back with me. This whole vision popped into my head: me upcycling this trash-find into a masterpiece and documenting the process for a YouTube video.

But then I thought: who would even want to watch that? Is it even interesting? Plus, with the darkness covering Amsterdam in the past two months, it didn’t matter how many lights I had on and how early I would sit down to work - the video turned out dark as, well… hell, rendering it as unaesthetic as a video can be.

Then I did some short traveling, threw myself back into work, and got swallowed by deadlines. Aaaand a whole month flew by, leaving me with some incoherent pieces of a candleholder mid-bedazzling.

And, #obsessions, I can’t move on to the next thing without finishing what I’ve already started…

That said, I never actually shared my last video here, so it feels like the perfect time to do so. It’s a weekly vlog - a type of video you’ve always said you enjoy. I like this one. It’s not the most structured or traditional format, but it is very authentic. Here it is:

And don’t worry (I know you weren’t) - there will be some candlestick-upcycling action in a future video. No footage goes to waste.

Mr Milkshake ..?

Everyone is buzzing about Severance. And for good reason - what a show! If you haven’t watched it yet because you don’t trust the hype (understandable, hype often leads to disappointment), let me be one more person to recommend it to you.

Masterfully directed with an intriguing concept, it’s one of those shows you just can’t turn off. It literally has your butt glued to the sofa and peepers to the screen. Cause you just need to know what.happens.next!

With Season 2 out now, we decided to rewatch Season 1 since our memories failed us on too many things regarding the plot. And good thing we did, because guess what… we never actually watched the last episode of the first season! We stopped at the penultimate one, assuming it was the finale. Life probably got busy.

Anyway, the last episode of Season 1 is so good! Now I’m off to watch the latest one.

Let me know if you’re watching too - no spoilers, please!

TV Time

There’s a highly requested video (or rather videos, plural) coming up on my channel soon about work organization as a creative freelancer - managing all the creative and business aspects and juggling multiple projects. It seems like a lot of you guys struggle with this really important aspect of freelance work.

Before I even sit down to make those videos, here’s the secret to my awesome organization: I take notes. Of literally everything. If it’s not written down, I’ll forget it the next second. I don’t even remember my own phone number. But I do have it written down!

The key is to write everything down in the right place.

The only reason I almost never recommend videos or series is that I forget what I’ve watched and seen. That’s not happening anymore! I found an app where you can track what you’ve been watching, sort of like Goodreads, but for both, series and movies, and it keeps track of everything for you.

The app knows what I like and watch, so it always suggests the next episodes or movies I might enjoy. It cuts down the endless scrolling so much. If that sounds like something you’d find useful, the app is called TV Time. (By the way, this isn’t sponsored and nobody’s paying me – although they really could, right? - just a personal recommendation ).

Remember to leave a comment cause I love reading you guys and know that somebody is on the other side:)

Till the next one!

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

This is a new edition of my monthly newsletter. One of the biggest pluses of freelance work (and therefore freelance life) is the possibility of working from anywhere. Literally take your laptop / tablet / phone etc. with you, hop on a train / plane / boat etc. , connect to the internet and that’s it!

I don’t know how about you, but for me it’s a huge luxury.

The Menu for This Week

🌳 My Lisbon Art Vlog

🌳 Being Neurodivergent as an Artist

🌳 Something for Freelancers

Lisboa Diaries

Just today I uploaded a new YouTube video. Have you noticed the change on my channel? What do you think about it? Do you miss the old videos or rather prefer the new ones?

Speaking of the video, I filmed it in Portugal. While reflecting on it, I realized that on every single trip I’ve taken this year, I’ve worked. Whether it was from a hotel room, a hotel lobby, or my all-time favorite - local cafés. Local coffee spots are on the same level for me when it comes to priority as local museums, and working from them is a perfect blend of experiences.

Too often, projects extend beyond their original timelines (not because of me : ). Schedules shift, unexpected edits pop up, or new projects suddenly appear (best option!). Because of this, I’ve made a habit of carving out time during my travels to ensure I meet my deadlines, stay connected with clients, and deliver all projects on time.

Sure, 'working while away' doesn’t always paint the perfect picture of rest or vacation, but I honestly don’t mind it. I love what I do, and I greet all the exciting creative challenges and opportunities that come my way with open hands.

The freedom that comes with freelance life, the ability to set my own schedule and design my days however I like, entirely makes up for any occasional discomforts.

And so, here’s my question to you: How do you feel about blending work and travel? Is it something you embrace or something you prefer to keep separate? Let me know your thoughts in the video comment section, I love to read you guys there.

Illustrating while neurodivergent

I have never actually mentioned this publicly before today, shyly remarking it in my most recent video. I’m on the spectrum which, once I got my evaluation, makes so much sense to me and kind of puts all the pieces I was struggling with together. It just made a lot of sense and honestly, it was a bit of a relief.

I know that some of you are in a similar situation, that’s why I thought it would be a nice idea to talk a bit more about it.

As a freelance artist, this realization has helped me understand myself better. Running my own creative business has not only been a source of independence but has also allowed me to challenge some of the most common (and, honestly, inaccurate) stereotypes about artists.

I take immense pride in my work ethic and because of my autistic perfectionism, empathy and attention to detail, rarely do I come across professionals as organized and business-minded as I’ve become. That drive for precision and professionalism has not only helped me deliver awesome work but has also shaped my identity as an artist and entrepreneur.

I know some of you might be in a similar situation, either after your ‘aha’ moment, or figuring things out. That’s why I thought it might be a good idea to include a short text about it here <3

If this resonates with you or sparks questions, feel free to share your thoughts, let me know if you’d like a video about it.

Please have in mind I don’t check private messages anywhere (they’re disorganized and full of spam!), but I do always check the comments everywhere:)

Roadmap Diaries

Today, I’m dedicating a small part of my usual publication to … talk about my husband.

There are a lot of jokes about having an artist as your life partner, but there should be even more about partners that are serial entrepreneurs with million ideas per minute.

So, there’s a new series called “Roadmap Diaries” and it contains short, few minutes each, vlogs, tips and ideas about building a tech startup.

Pedro’s idea is to slowly start sharing all the aspects of what it takes to build something, and this can apply to many - artists, business owners, entrepreneurs.

He is also giving free advice for freelancers on his channel and (because I have connections) I know that he has a lot of videos planned that could really help. Not only does he has experience in international business as he lived and worked everywhere, but also understands our struggles firsthand (cause he’s well connected too).

And he creates all this content just as a plus and because he likes it, no paywalls, no courses, just stuff that’s out there, hoping to help someone along the way.

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

What are your autumn activities? Do you celebrate Halloween? Do you turn into a baking nerd? Are you suddenly going through your TBR book pile like a toddler through diapers? What’s your secret?

Mine is to look for all these tiny things that will make dark afternoons and evenings more pleasant. A movie date? I’m in. Checking out a new restaurant? I’m coming. An overpriced pastry? Yes, please. Fancy soap? Love it. Thrift-store 90s sweater with geese on it? I want it. So far, I have to say, out of all the strategies I’ve tried to make the ‘dark months’ (which is how I call autumn and winter) nicer and cozier, this one is the most effective. 

This time, I decided to capture the whole vibe in a YouTube video—there’s a bit of everything: cozy moments, some favorite little indulgences, and glimpses of my illustration work. If you’re looking for inspiration or just want a virtual friend to unwind with, I’d love it if you kept me company while watching!

I’d love to hear from you, too, either under this post or on my latest video. What are your ways of cozying up and organizing your freelance life? Let me know!

I Do have Time

Last year in December, I made a small collage and printed it out. I used some snippets and sketches of all my open personal projects and put them all together to have a visual representation of my ideas and creative ventures that I want to complete in 2024.

I knew they were ambitious and complex, and I reasonably assumed I wouldn’t complete all of them in one year, but I firmly believed I’d finish most of them and would make significant progress with the others. Guess what. 

That’s right. None of them are completed, and progress was made in only one of them. One.

When I realized that, I was so surprised, I didn’t even feel bad because this year just flew by. Every time someone asked me how this year has been for me work-wise, I always tell the same comparison I’ll tell you now.

Do you remember that feeling when you skipped or didn’t pay attention in a math class in primary school, and at the next one, you felt like you’d fallen behind “but no worries, I’ll catch up,” and you spent the whole rest of the year working to feel a little bit less lost?

I’ve been lucky enough to work on several big projects interlaced with smaller (but equally cool) ones. Many of them have been long-term, present in my work agenda for months, with a few extending beyond 12 months already. I’ve traveled a few times this year, and on each one of my short trips, my laptop and tablet stayed close to me while I was finishing illustrations or sending concept sketches to clients to stay in line with my deadlines. So no surprise, my personal projects—and hobbies included—have been set aside.

The thing is, my ambitions grow, but the time I have at my disposal doesn’t. You won’t hear me saying “I don’t have time” a lot though, because I really believe that if you want to make time for something, you’ll find a way.

That’s also why I think it only depends on me if and how I allow myself to do the things I do. After all these thoughts flooded through my head, I automatically thought about my organization system and how sometimes my good organization could be more time-efficient.

These right here are my messy thoughts, and it feels nice to let them out here. My next step will be to improve my organization of both my work and personal time, and I promise I’ll let you in on whatever I come up with  

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

Sorry guys, it’s been a while. I feel I’m always ‘late’ with my publications. This week I’m sharing something cool news. I get often asked how I work, how my workspace looks like, how’s my life in Amsterdam and routines as an illustrator. So I decided to change a bit the format and release my first ever real vlog.

The Menu for This Week

🌳 My very first Art Vlog

🌳 Becoming your Art mentor 🤓

🌳 How much Artists hate doing numbers and taxes

Life as an Illustrator ⭑Artist Vlog⭑

Finding a way to show and share my days as a full-time freelancing artist and illustrator hasn’t been the most straightforward task, but I’ve been having so much fun choosing bits and pieces of behind-the-scenes moments!

Just yesterday, I came across a tweet (should we call it X-post now?) from a fellow artist that very accurately stated we’re the most active and talkative whenever we can allow ourselves a breather and some extra time to mingle on social media, film, document, and share our work. When we’re flooded with projects and surfing the busy freelance wave, we enter full-on MIA mode, and you won’t see much of us.

This very typical flow has recently been guiding all my social media activity, and this rhythm of things probably won’t ever change. That’s why I’m still learning to embrace it and make the most of it. That’s what you can see in my video: busy days interlaced with moments of peace, which I carve out for myself whenever possible.

If you’re interested in online project presentations, that’s something I explore in my latest YouTube video.

A few months ago, I was commissioned by National Geographic magazine to create illustrations for an article on biodiversity loss in Borneo. Over the past century, the region has faced a significant decline in its rich wildlife, mostly caused by humans. I created two illustrations (one for the article cover and one as a spot illustration) to visually represent the article titled "A Hundred Years of Borneo" and to bring to life the challenges and hopes of conservation in this unique and threatened ecosystem.

I must admit that filming myself at work doesn’t come naturally (yet). I’m so focused on my idea-creation process and in such a strong flow that filming the progress isn’t something that even occurs to me! It’s something I’m trying to incorporate more of, in a way that’s interesting for you but also comfortable and non-invasive for me. I’ll let you in on a secret: all the shots of me working on client and personal projects so far have been filmed with me holding the camera in my left hand while the right one does all the work.

A big part of the video shows behind-the-scenes footage of my photoshoot for this particular client project as well as my personal one, which I truly loved working on. Only recently, I added these to my portfolio, where you can see the final results of the photo session.

The Creative Draft Coaching

1:1 Coaching calls with me - are open again!

I’m happy to announce that I’m opening a few more spots for my Creative Draft Coaching program, and with this, I’m officially launching the next group of artists for the second cohort! 🎉

Why did I decide to start offering coaching and mentorship to illustrators?

For the same reason I started my YouTube channel. Starting out in the illustration field isn’t easy. Even though many years have passed, I still vividly remember how lost I felt at the beginning. I quit my day job, left my former profession behind, and switched to illustration, figuring everything out as I took my first steps.

Apply 1.1 Art Coaching Today

What’s more, freelance professions can often be quite solitary, with ours being the best example. While many of us, myself included, enjoy working on our own, it also means we don’t have a direct community or co-workers to support us or share their experiences and expertise.

As much as I try to share everything I know on my free YouTube channel and in publicly available videos, there are always those personal struggles we all have. These can range from common impostor syndrome, not feeling good enough, lack of confidence or experience, or needing clearer direction when it comes to your art abilities, portfolio, client outreach, first projects, contracts, billing, negotiations, etc.

In the meetings, I want to help with any doubts or issues you might have, whether you’re at the beginning of your career or midway, feeling lost and stuck.

1. You can choose and buy the meeting packages as you need. It was important to me to make the plans accessible to as many of you as possible.

2. You decide whether to opt for a one-time call to address your specific doubts and questions or start regular coaching calls. In these sessions, we either review your portfolio or create it from scratch.

3. We work on both the creative and business aspects of being a professional illustrator, and I always adapt the program to what each of you needs.

I’ve enjoyed so much working with artists in the first cohort and seeing your progress and being able to help, makes me so happy and proud!

To those of you who have applied and haven’t heard back from me yet—please don’t worry. I see and read all your applications, and I will respond to each of you, whether you were selected or not.

Please remember that the spots I offer are very limited. Why?

1. Because my full-time job is commercial illustration, and I carefully organize my schedule to make sure I give all my time and attention to the artists I meet.

2. I want to provide the guidance and support you need, which is why I keep the groups I coach small.

3. This ensures I have enough time for everyone while staying fully committed to my work as an illustrator.

If you have any questions about coaching with me, just leave a comment or apply directly!

I hate doing numbers and taxes

The one thing we all procrastinate on.

Finances. Taxes. Excel. All the four Qs. Spreadsheets. Feeling dizzy already? Because I do!

As an artist with dyscalculia and a profound dislike for numbers and finance matters, each end of the quarter is quite an overwhelming experience for me. I don’t want to sound negative, but I truly hate it. And there’s a lot I want to automate.

The small role I play in it makes me feel like I need a vacation—the hammock-between-two-palm-trees kind of vacation.

So, I wanted to ask you: if there were an app or tool to help you handle your taxes and finances as a creative freelancer, what features would it need to have?

In other words, when managing your numbers and dealing with taxes and finances as a freelancer or small business owner, what key feature would make you choose an app to help you with these tasks? If you could ask for anything, what would it be?

Let me know in the comments below :)

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

This week I’m sharing some stories and experiences that might help other fellow artists. I’m also including a few inspiration related recommendations, some things I’ve found interesting, and some that might help you with the creative process.

The Menu for This Week

🌳 Advice for your Online Art & Print Shops

🌳 I can be your private art career coach now! 🤓

🌳 Recommendations for Artists & Creatives

Why I Closed my Shop?

Hey Artfriends!

Are you thinking about opening an online store for your art? This step involves making many decisions on different aspects, as there are so many things to think of and take into account! 

In my latest YouTube video, I share my personal journey of running an online shop and why I ultimately decided to close it. If you're an illustrator or artist, running your own shop, at the crossroads of making some important shop decisions, or just about to open your own, you’ll want to hear this story!

Some of The Big Questions:

• Is it necessary to have an online store when you’re an independent artist?

• What hidden challenges could you face?

• How much it cost?

• How do you know if it’s the right move for you?

• Will I make money?

I jumped into the online shop world with high hopes and previous experience as a shop owner.

Was it everything I thought it would be? Watch the full video here:

Some of you might know that I’m very open to trying new things when it comes to my creative business. The same applied to my shop, so I literally tried everything, and that includes different products, various shop styles, multiple shipping methods. 

The curious thing is that what we tend to give most attention to at the beginning usually is not that important in the long run. Seemingly small and harmless bumps, however, end up becoming a real pain! If I told you that creating shipping labels drained my time and energy and consumed hours of my time, I’m sure you’d assume I’m exaggerating, as this is such an obvious part of the business behind running a shop. What did I learn that I wish I had known from the start?

I prepared the video from my perspective, which is that of a commercial illustrator working with clients, and shop (and everything else, for that matter) are my additional income stream sources.

Intrigued? Watch the video and don’t forget to ask questions in the video comment if you want!

Join my Art Coaching Program!

I’m sure you know all by now about my coaching program for artists and illustrators! I’m super happy to be officially coaching my first small cohort, helping each one of you individually to tackle the various obstacles, so common in a freelance career.

You’re not the only one struggling, having a hard time figuring out your way, your style, your portfolio or feeling insecure when negotiating with clients – you’d be surprised how many full-time artists undercharge for their work!! This program isn’t about avoiding mistakes (they’re essential!), but about hitting those important milestones sooner with my guidance as an experienced professional illustrator. 

Reminder: you can now Join My Artistic Coaching Program!

Who Is This For?

• Aspiring artists and illustrators

• Creatives facing career challenges

• Illustrators looking to refine their style and portfolio

• Those seeking personalized advice on getting clients, pricing work, and more

• Anyone who feels lost in their illustration career or want to change directions

• Illustrators looking for help with their art business, pricing, clients, negotiations

• Artists and illustrators who feel they can’t find answers to their questions anywhere

What Will You Get?

• Personalized guidance tailored to your goals and needs

• Strategies to overcome freelance challenges

• Tips to make your portfolio stand out

• Regular follow-ups and check-ins with me

• Insights on transitioning to full-time illustration

• Access to my private Art Slack community.

• Answers to your doubts and questions, and more ☺

Recommendations time 

I don’t know how about you, but I love checking out other’s recommendations! So below you’ll find a bit of everything –series, art tools, a YT channel, illustration things. I hope you’ll thoroughly enjoy this very random but still well-thought through mix.

Mini-series to watch

“The Outsider," a horror mini-series based on Stephen King's book. 

Although I wouldn't call myself the biggest fan of Stephen King (after reading one of his books :D), and many of the series or movies based on his books haven’t really convinced me, this one was an exception for me.

The pacing of "The Outsider" is really well balanced - it neither drags nor races through the plot. This allows the story to unfold naturally, maintaining a constant sense of suspense without feeling rushed. It captures an eerie atmosphere, without any cheap jump scares (I’m scared of jump-scares!). Instead, it builds tension through unsettling story and mood. 

The series is a blend of horror with supernatural elements, intertwined with a crime/mystery drama. 

One of the standout aspects of "The Outsider" is its visual style. The color grading and cinematography create a mood that reminded me of Scandinavian films, with their heavy, slow, and dark atmospheres. The frequent use of forest settings adds to the sense of isolation, making the environment itself feel like a character in the story. 

Whether you are a fan of Stephen King or simply enjoy a good-and-not-too-scary horror/crime drama, "The Outsider" is available on HBO max and is worth watching.

YouTube Channel Recommendation

I’m on YouTube and I’m a big YouTube fan. All the people putting helpful and inspiring content out there for free – what could be better?

Creating content, whether it’s videos, blog posts, articles, podcasts, resources, or tools, to share with a community openly, takes courage, time, effort, lots of work, but most importantly passion and drive.

Because without them, none of it would be possible. Artists that are also content-creators (I hate this word, but it is what it is) either do it on the side, as a plus, or base their entire business strategy on it. In the case of the former, this passion is our fuel, as our content often isn’t monetized, or simply doesn’t pay much. (Speaking of, I’m thinking of making a video about my earnings on YouTube, what do you think?)

Just like many of you, my first freelance illustration steps were taken while watching YouTube and all the illustrators that were a few steps ahead of me and willing to share their experience and journey.

Holly Exley’s channel was the one I found most helpful. She’s an incredible artist, such a sensitive, kind human and a fellow animal lover. It’s not easy to find many freelancers that are as honest, open, and willing to share as Holly has always been. I’ve been a fan of her work and her videos for the longest time. Holly is also the author of my dog Lupe’s watercolor portrait that proudly decorates my living room and her illustrated stickers (Holly’s, not Lupe’s—my dog isn’t much of an artist) adorn all of my customizable surfaces.

Because of many different things lately, I haven’t been spending that much time on YouTube or social media, something I’m getting back to, as it’s an important part of my job. With that, I’m catching up on Holly’s new videos. Some time ago, she, her husband Craig, and their two amazing doggos, started a van life. Something I can only imagine as being a 360-degree life change, with numerous challenges and rewards, also meant a big switch in Holly’s content and the way she carries on with her creative business.

It’s been so interesting to follow her steps and journey, but also to observe how tough it is on us, artists and (ugh) content creators, anytime we want to pivot our content. It’s not an easy thing to do and Holly does it in such a natural, organic, and cool way.

It’s been a pleasure following her latest vlogs, and I highly recommend them to you, alongside all the older videos on her channel.

Check out Holly

Simple but awesome  - A glass pen

And last but not least, a short mention of a very cool drawing tool. Over the last few months, whenever I got a free moment, I’ve been working on a small personal project that I’ll be sharing with all of you in the form of a YouTube video once it’s ready. One of the main goals of this particular project involves experimenting with different tools, and this time I wanted to mention a glass pen.

This is a peculiar tool I’ve seen very few artists use, but those who do, create some really cool work. I’ve been considering getting one myself for the longest time, but the abundance of my at-home art supplies made me postpone this purchase. A year ago, around this time, I was gifted a glass pen by a friend (what an awesome and thoughtful present, thank you Boshra!).

A few months ago, I put it to use for the first time and I was so pleasantly surprised. I didn’t expect it to be so smooth to work with. The pen has a comfortable grip and picks up just the right amount of ink, so you don’t have to dip constantly and can draw nice precise and clean lines.

For everyone who appreciates illustrating with ink and is curious about new art tools, I strongly recommend getting it. It’s pretty accessible, with prices starting from 10 euros.

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

One of my objectives for 2024 was to start working on new, challenging, and interesting projects that would take me out of my comfort zone. I have a few exciting projects I will be sharing in the coming publications.

The Menu for This Week

🌳 Coaching and Mentorship 1.1!

🌳 Let’s talk about Bologna Children’s Book Fair

🌳 Online Shops for artists still a thing in 2024?

I’ve started ….. an Artistic Coaching and Mentorship for Illustrators!

This is part of an educational project I’ve had in mind for a long time. Having the opportunity to talk to an illustrator working in the field to get personalized help and feedback is something I was super eager to get when I started out and felt very lost but didn’t manage to find. The way I see it, there are many (incredible!) resources for artists and illustrators, and the best thing you can do is to explore and learn from them.

However, sometimes there are certain situations, doubts, questions, or simply very individual cases, that could really benefit from some extra help and guidance. Getting direct and personalized support can really make a difference. I know it did for me on several occasions throughout my education and career.

Customized help is something we all need from time to time! The reason why it's so valuable and helpful is because it addresses your unique goals and helps you steer in the right direction. Unlike generalized advice, personalized coaching focuses on your specific challenges and strengths. This tailored way of working closely together offers something that, sadly, books, online classes, and videos (as awesome as they are!) can’t: feedback and strategies directly applicable to you as a person and an artist, making the learning process more efficient and your artistic growth faster.

You know what else? The number of mistakes I made at the beginning of my career could build a very peculiar memorial wall. I still make mistakes that sometimes make me cringe and often laugh. I don’t regret them, as all of them were super valuable lessons, but let’s agree that if I were able to avoid them or see them for what they were, I’d much rather do that! Through sharing my experience directly with you, you can also benefit from them!

• Some of the questions we will be able to answer together

  • How can I improve my style, and my portfolio?

  • How can my portfolio be more attractive for clients?

  • Getting new clients. How?

  • Porfolio Review - What should I work on?

  • Should I get an agent? When , why, how?

  • How I price my work, how the licensing works

  • How to transition to full time or turn a hobby into a career

  • … and all the hows about your artistic career your can think of.

As a commercial published illustrator, illustration is my full-time job. And because I want to be sure that I can give you my full attention and support without compromising my client and personal work, I’m only able to open only a few spots at a time, for a few illustrators only.

If you’re interested in coaching with me, feel free to use the link below. It will lead you to an waitlist form (don’t worry, it’s not any kind of subscription, but a questionnaire) that will allow me to see if I’m the right person to help you now.

JOIN THE WAITLIST

This will be a waitlist for when I open more coaching spots for cohort 2, and when that happens, I’ll get in touch with you.

Bologna Children's Book Fair – Should I stay or should I go now?

If you’re an illustrator and you’ve been staying up to date with the online illustration community (as you should), for sure, once a year every April the thing you’ve been hearing about over and over again is the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. All of the happy and excited illustrators rushing to Italy are hard to miss! It's a big event in the illustration world, but who truly benefits from attending?

I went to BCBF with high hopes, equipped with marketing materials for the illustrators' wall and to leave with potential clients. My goal was to connect with awesome publishers and companies and find new job opportunities – after all, marketing is a steady ingredient of the illustrator’s job. And the truth is, I’ve only ever heard good and positive things about the Fair. Even checking out the attending illustrators' IG stories, reels, and videos gives you nothing but positive and excited reactions. Is my impression far away from that of fellow artists?

How much work did I get after attending the Fair? How effective is marketing your portfolio, illustration services, and creative offer in Bologna? Is it such a good way to get noticed?

The fair's massive scale and the sheer number of illustrators can be both thrilling and daunting. With everyone looking for the publishers’ attention, standing out becomes a unique challenge. The illustrators' wall, filled to the very borders with cards and posters, seems like a fantastic opportunity, but does it truly attract the right eyes?

The BCBF event offers a big variety of events and workshops—each one promises something different, and it looks like everyone should find something interesting for themselves. The busy atmosphere of the Fair might be energizing or overwhelming, all depending on how you prefer navigating.

The fair is renowned for networking, but is it the best setting for forming meaningful connections? Reflecting on my interactions, some conversations felt promising, hinting at potential opportunities. I’m very happy about some chats I had and, above all, experiencing the Fair on my own skin and being able to now have a strong opinion.

Have you visited BCBF yourself? What was your goal and impression? Are you thinking of going? Would I go again? Let me know in the comments, either here or on YouTube, and don’t forget to watch the video!

Why I closed my online shop?

That’s a question I promised you I’d answer since I closed my online store after years! And I still haven’t gotten to it! This very same question will most probably be the title of my upcoming video. When it comes to running your own illustration shop, the amount of doubts you guys normally have is high! Where? (Etsy? Print on demand?) What? (Stickers? Calendars? Prints?) How much? (Stock? Earnings?) What makes your shop successful? Is it even worth it? Can I sustain myself from it?

For me, running an online shop was a constant balancing act. It demanded a lot of time and energy, often pulling me away from my core job – creating art and all that comes with it.

I feel like I tried most things available, had the possibility of trying them out and seeing if they worked for me. There were times my shop did better and times when it did a bit worse. Some products I offered seemed to be more popular, and others didn’t attract many customers. Experimenting with different platforms and products taught me a lot about what works and what doesn’t. It's all part of the journey. Each attempt, whether a hit or miss, provided insights that shaped my approach. Sharing these experiences can hopefully give you a clearer path and save you some of the trial and error.

I’ll try to answer most of those in my next video. If you have any questions, just let me know below!

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

This week, I thought of writing and filming a simplified guide about the process of making an illustrated book and working with a publisher (not covering self-publishing). This publication will cover everything from the negotiations to the final delivery of the work. I’m not covering the art part but the overall process, the negotiations, and, in the end, a few things I always check in the agreement and when licensing my work.

A new video is out, and it’s all about my last published book! This is a perfect video for all of you who are interested in the process behind illustrating a book (from the artist’s perspective), for inspiring book illustrators, and for anyone really who wants to know the steps that are usually followed in book illustration creation.

Short 10 Step Guide: Creating an Illustrated Book

1. Getting approached: This is where it all starts; for most illustrators, the publishing house will be the one approaching you. An art director, an editor, or a graphic designer working for the publishing house can initiate the first contact to see if the project piques your interest. This first contact normally includes a high-level description of everything related to the project. In my case, most of the publishers came from my socials, my website, Behance and Instagram.

2. The Negotiations: If the project is of your interest, then we discuss the project details and budget and agree on deadlines, number of revisions, and other administrative details. It’s important to mention that this stage is key. Do not go into negotiations without knowing the pricing, for example, for a project similar to the one you are being proposed. This is a very important moment, so you can be sure you are in alignment with the publishers. Most publishing houses have very mature processes, that are clear, standard and straightforward, as they have been doing this for a long time.

3. The Agreement: I can’t stress this enough - I would not recommend starting any work without a prior written agreement. I learned this the hard way when I was an interior architect. Below, you’ll find some of the things I always make sure to include in my agreements. This is the document that will be the key element for a good relationship, where your and your client's rights are defined.

4. The Author’s Manuscript: The illustrator receives the author's manuscript to understand the narrative and themes, together with the creative brief.
   Note any specific scenes, characters, or elements that must be highlighted. This is the perfect time to ask any questions, clarifications, and doubts.

5. The Brief: This usually comes with the author’s manuscript, but here I would suggest you always make sure that the brief is clear. If you have everything, you can start creating work for the book. This is for me one of the most important elements, as it’s the best way to get info from the client and make sure you’re on the same page. Unless you’re given complete creative freedom, always make sure the brief you’re given is clear to you.

6. The Storyboarding: We normally begin with rough sketches of illustrations based on the brief and our artistic vision, but sometimes, we develop a storyboard first. This is something you can see in the video I’m sharing below.

7. The Sketching: This is where the fun starts. You take all the input from the client and the author's text and start creating black-and-white sketches of each of the pages. Once I’m happy with how they look, I send them to the client for review, always being mindful of the schedules agreed. Always be on time!

8. The Feedback: The initial sketches are presented to the publisher for feedback. We make revisions based on this feedback to ensure the illustrations align with the publisher’s vision and the book's narrative.

9. The Revisions: The final step is the creation of detailed, final illustrations. We will start working in color once the black-and-white sketches are approved. I often divide my process into three stages: I send the black-and-white sketches for review; once approved, I move to draft colors; once those are approved, I move to color; once those are approved, I move to…

10. The Final Work: This is the last part of the project. It is always the best part as you see your final work with all the pages next to each other. Most publishers have specific artwork delivery formats, file types, sizes, and color mode. I prepare all the files in a big folder, and I deliver them via WeTransfer. Once the publisher acknowledges the work is received in order, and that they are happy, the illustration part of work is done. The next thing will be to wait a few months till you get the book copy in your hands :)

Sometimes, not often, a few very small changes can be required after the final work delivery. But usually, it is something very small, and it rarely happens.

Some things I always make sure are included in my contracts:

• A Cancellation Fee

• Clear amount of the rounds of revisions

• A clear delivery schedule and conditions

• Be sure you receive a few copies of the books

• Licence or right transfer does not happen till all fees are paid

• I always make sure the book metadata includes my name

• … some others, depending on the contract

The time has come. Finally, I will open some limited spots for personalized one-on-one creative coaching sessions. This has been in the making for a long, very long time. Since the beginning, I have wanted The Creative Draft to be more than just a publication. I want to build a learning platform for artists, illustrators, and creatives.

The coaching and mentorship sessions are next; after that, I will be activating The Creative Draft Hub (but I haven’t yet decided on the platform)

To ensure we’re a good fit and can help you, you’ll be asked to fill out a short form with questions about you and what you are looking for. If we are a fit based on what you need and what I can offer, we will email you directly and, together, choose a date for our session and talk about all the details.

JOIN THE WAITLIST

To ensure each artist gets the best support possible and that we are a good match for each other, I only offer limited spots for our 1-on-1 sessions.

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

Finally! I am sooo excited to be back on YouTube! After over 180 days I'm back with a new video, a Q&A answering a bunch of your questions about the illustration career! 

The last few months have been quite messy. I kept myself very busy with client and personal projects, and later in the year, I moved to a completely new working space! Who's up for a new studio tour?

New Book is Out!

My latest illustrated book is out! I waited impatiently to get this one in my hands. It is filled with colorful plants, amazing intelligent animals, and all kinds of curiosities about the natural world.

I loved working on it, learning all sorts of interesting facts and depicting all the animals. Beautifully written by Alex Nogues, published by editorial Flamboyant, illustrated by me✍️ Starting tomorrow, the book is available in libraries in Spain, for now in castellano & catalan💛

Best Advice I have

After I moved into the new studio, It took me quite some time to organize the new space, settle in and also leave behind a lot of things that I wasn't using or enjoying, which made me think how easy it is to fill our spaces and surroundings with objects, that don't add to our lives. I've also been doing my best to honor my own advice and take a step back whenever I've felt I could use a small break.

I managed to make some more time for reading, which allowed my mind to rest and recharge and also go through some of my constantly growing piles of books. Having said all of that, I'm beyond happy to be back on the YouTube track and connect with you again over there! I have so many ideas lined up to convert them into future videos to add to my channel! Many things happened in the past months and I'd love to share them with you. But as always I'd love to hear back from you and if there's anything in particular you'd like me to talk about in a video, just let me know in the comments!

The questions you guys asked me were really inspiring! I think many of them would make great material for future videos. Thanks so much for being such an awesome community!

One of you asked me about 3 favorite subjects to draw while travelling and I thought it was really fun, and unavoidably made me think about the art supplies you choose to take along with you. Before every travel I have a hard time choosing what I should take with me, to keep it simple and versatile but also be prepared for all art situations:) And almost always I take with me a tiny palette of watercolors, which is a medium I'm not the strongest at, but I'm pretty determined to keep improving.

Every time I go somewhere, I come back with one sketchbook spread filled with scribbles and sketches. Last week I got back from Barcelona, where I was eating a lot, getting some sun on my face and spending an outrageous amount of time (and money) in the bookstores. One of the books I found in a travel-oriented bookstore, was an artist's travel sketchbook from their journey across South America which was published as a book and sold there.

This is a beautiful way of keeping memories and saving imagery from your travels! I would love to know what are your essentials you take with you to sketch while travelling? Let me know in the comments below the Substack post.

Bologna Children's Book Fair

Who's going? This year I decided to go to Bologna for the Fair for the first time! Three of the publishers I worked with this past year will have their stands there, so I'm hoping to see my books in Bologna as well! I've never been to any book fair like this one before, and I'm really curious about how it's gonna be.

As an artist and a frequent illustrator of books and book covers, I'm very interested in diving into all the illustrated books from so many publishing houses. I see what others are doing, and I hope to follow some trends in the world of illustrated books.

Of course, you can expect a post-Bologna Fair video from me about the event and the whole experience, and if you're also gonna be there, leave me a comment! Apart from illustrated books, my mind is totally set on all the delicious food - all the pasta, pizza and gelato await me. 

The Creative Draft Hub is more than just a platform; it's a vibrant learning ecosystem dedicated to us, illustrators & visual artists. We've designed a space where your artistic talents can be nurtured and cultivated through a variety of features and opportunities.

COMMUNITY HUB

From focused exercises and personalized mentorship to peer feedback and business approach.

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

2023 was weird

If anything, this year has been a learning experience. I didn’t plan it, but it somehow happened on its own, and in the end, I’m happy with the results. It’s been a year where I had various opportunities to reflect on my career, to think about what I liked, what I disliked and what I wanted more and less of for the years ahead.

Self-Observation: I spent so much time examining my own work, analyzing and deconstructing it, and simply thinking how to make it better, more attractive and more diverse -not just to others, to my clients, but especially to myself. Every single project I worked on this year was an opportunity to observe my workflow and my process. Some projects flowed effortlessly, fueled by my creative energy. Others required more creative effort and discipline, feeling a bit more bumpy. This helped me to see which projects I wish to have more of and which ones feel less challenging and spark less creative energy.

Staying Focused: As it became clearer to me which projects I wanted to engage in more and which ones I’d rather leave behind, keeping myself accountable has been equally important. Knowing what you want from your career is crucial, but at the same time, it’s only the first step. I needed to clarify what kind of work I wanted, not just to myself but to everyone, especially potential clients. Now, before starting any new personal project (I hope you remember from my past publications how important these are!), I ask myself if it aligns with my goals. Sometimes, creating a beautiful piece without a clear purpose of how it could be integrated and implemented, simply isn’t good enough. This is one of many many reasons why I permanently closed my shop. A video explaining my decision, along with my learnings and recommendations, will be on my YouTube in early 2024. Until then, enjoy the oldies; they’re perfect to watch over the Holiday break: www.youtube.com/asiaorlando

Final Presentation: I also revisited my website and the presentation of my work. Believe it or not, but the presentation of my work has always been my least favorite part. At the university, I loved the process and exploration behind each piece, the raw “ugly” sketches on torn pieces of paper with coffee mug stains on top. I felt a huge satisfaction appreciating the final finished piece and adding the last polishing touches. But when it came to presenting everything together attractively, I felt a strong urge to finish that task as quickly as possible. Just so I could move on to the next creation, eager to bring to life one of so many ideas lined up in my messy head. It goes without saying that how you present your final work is the most important part of it all. I’ve seen so much awful work that gained everything from a well done final presentation. And so many outstanding art pieces lacking this final step sadly got rejected/omitted/unnoticed.

That’s one of the reasons why I redid my website three times this year(!). You can check it out here: www.asiaorlando.com

Rest is productive: This is so vital that I’ll elaborate in a full size article below. “Rest is productive” is the best phrase I came up with, and it resonates deeply. How many of us freelancers have the mindset that whenever we don’t work, we don’t make money, and therefore we lose money? Quite a few!

And let me tell you, burnout is not fun. It makes things soo much harder, slower, less efficient, less productive, less enjoyable. So go ahead, and remember to take care of yourself! Organize time to do something you enjoy, spend time with your loved ones, and forget about art for a while. Once you do, when you’re back at your desk, things are gonna be so much easier! I’m writing this for you, but also for myself, to remind us all how important it is to give ourselves a break for our self-care. Read more about burnout and seasonal depression below.

Burnout, F*ck Off

Did you know that November is apparently the month that psychologists receive the largest influx of new patients? That’s what mine told me. And I’m not surprised at all. As a creative person, you are more prone to all the external factors, aesthetics, mood, and energy - they all affect us. And if a person, who is supposed to have a great sense of color and a creative, imaginative mindset is expected to manifest all this creative energy daily, working in post-3PM-darkness, under clouded skies, and around sad, bare trees, it gets challenging.

If you add a personal dislike of the autumn and winter seasons, which some of us share, then you’re walking on shaky ground.

Did you read my previous phrase, “rest is productive” and all that comes with it? Well, let’s just say I ignored my own advice AGAIN, and as we speak, I’m recovering from a minor burnout, 2023 edition. Not respecting and enjoying my own free time, coupled with seasonal depression gloom, some personal matters and a significant change that I’m gonna share with you after the new year, led to me being overwhelmed HARD.

So, while dealing with the above, I very reluctantly decided to force myself to leave my warm house more often and venture into the cold darkness, almost out of obligation. I organized activities that would draw me away from my desk far behind and require me to be at a certain place at a certain time so that I wouldn’t get consumed by my warm-home-work-bubble world.

And it was fun! To compensate for the dreary sky as my daily view for the next few months, I went to cinemas, had meetings with friends, attended concerts, and enjoyed solo or duo coffee dates. I established a special event called Sleepy Saturday—a full day of watching movies or rewatching series with special snacks—held at my house for my husband, dog, and myself only. This event occurs every first Saturday of each month until the outside world becomes inviting again for spending more time outdoors. 

I was even gifted a Raccoon Onesie, as a perfect Sleepy Saturday attire… all of this with a common goal: to get some good energy but also allow yourself to rest! And it’s something I really recommend if you have a hard time coping with the seasonal changes.

Bye Bye 2023

This is my last publication in 2023, and in retrospect, we can all share a tiny bit of how this year treated us. I’m curious to know if this is only me.

The Creative Draft Hub is more than just a platform; it's a vibrant learning ecosystem dedicated to us, illustrators & visual artists. We've designed a space where your artistic talents can be nurtured and cultivated through a variety of features and opportunities.

COMMUNITY HUB

From focused exercises and personalized mentorship to peer feedback and business approach.

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

Not to be overly theatrical, but every year, I’m equally surprised by the effect the darkness and cold have on me. Suffice it to say, my sofa and blanket are tired of me, while the gym employees forgot me completely.

On a brighter note, I’m finishing and closing many of the projects I’ve been working on because, for one reason or another, they all coincide with the end of the year. I’m very excited to start showing you my latest creations slowly!

But this note is specially crafted to tell you one thing .....

The Menu for This Week:

🌳 Why I quit

🌳 A Fantastic Heartfelt Movie

Closing my online shop. Forever!

Last chance to buy prints, puzzles, and tote bags on my website. Ever! As some of you might have already seen on my Instagram, I decided to close my online shop permanently. This means that I don’t plan to reopen my online shop for regular sales in the future.

My shop is now open until mid-December, as I recently received many requests to bring some prints back or inquiries about my puzzles’ availability. They’re all there for you to grab, just in time for the Holidays.

Plus, I've lowered the prices to show my appreciation for helping me clear out my inventory. Please grab a print, a poster, my Tiger Tote or a puzzle for you or your loved ones. This is the last chance to buy something from me and support my work in this way.

And remember:
• if there’s a print you wanted in the past
• if the country where you reside isn’t on my shipping location list

---just let me know in the comments! I’ll do my best to help you.

But why?!

There are many many reasons behind my decision. I made a poll in my stories the other day asking if you were interested to hear more, and it seems like you guys really are! I’m also quite eager to share my experience as an artist having her online store out there for many many years. I learned a lot, and I’d like to share some of those valuable observations and lessons with you, in hope that they’ll serve you as well. There’s a bunch of positive things and a bunch of the negative ones, but ultimately it all gets down to what you want for your career.

So, I invite you to visit my store now and explore! Looking for a vibrant print, an eye-catching poster, a stylish Tiger Tote, or a relaxing puzzle? I’ve got you! Don't miss out on this last chance to get a piece of my art and support my journey and the content I make. I super appreciate you!

Past Lives

If you’re planning a movie night, consider this one! It’s been a while since I enjoyed a movie I went to see in the cinema. I really liked this one, with its beautiful cinematography and a simple but emotional and relatable plot. I wish there were more movies like this, without being over the top, focusing on small things. A very calm, reflective movie that is definitely worth seeing!

I think if you enjoyed “Call Me by Your Name” or “Wonder Wheel”; slow-paced and personal movies that keep you in contact with the characters throughout the story, narratives that are neither sweet nor bitter, you should enjoy this one too! By the director Celine Song.

The Creative Draft Hub is more than just a platform; it's a vibrant learning ecosystem dedicated to us, illustrators & visual artists. We've designed a space where your artistic talents can be nurtured and cultivated through a variety of features and opportunities.

COMMUNITY HUB

From focused exercises and personalized mentorship to peer feedback and business approach.

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

Haven’t posted in a while. A lot has changed in the past couple of months. Many news to share, many things to talk about, but little or no time. While I plan the rest of the year, say goodbye to a very short summer here in Amsterdam, I wanted to talk about some of the cool things that happened in the last couple of weeks.

For those of you trying to develop an illustration career or who have been building one for a while - you have been asking me about some of the things included below. Let’s go!

The Menu for This Week:

🌳 A Package delivery

🌳 A short Backstory

🌳 A Game to Play

The best kind of mail

This is something I've been waiting very impatiently for a couple of months, and I finally received the mail. So naturally, I rushed to show you!

"Beasts of the Ancient World” is a project I've worked on this year and the previous one, and it's one of those that, even though complicated at times, results in huge satisfaction. So seeing the book in person and how beautiful it is makes me really happy and proud.

I made my first live unboxing video and instantly fell in love with the book. My favorite part of this project was this amazing creative mix between fiction and non-fiction.

In some cases, museum artifacts served as a reference and an anchor point, and in others, I had complete creative freedom when coming up with how the beasts and characters should look, using as a base the descriptions of the author, Marchella Ward, written into short stories.

Another super cool thing was that the team I worked with gave me space to propose different visual solutions when it came to composing the artwork around the text, resulting in every page being different. Even though we had a binding element of decorative borders running around each spread, every story and every character is different and unique. Those ornamental details were another cool feature to work on. For every one of them, I pulled relevant details or symbols from each story to then interlace with motifs of the same origin as each legend.

A fun fact is that during the process of working on the book, I visited the Pergamon Museum in Berlin and, among others, The British Museum in London as a part of my own research. All of those museum visits and the abundant material I collected on each of them were very inspiring as I had a chance to see many of the artifacts and characters that later served me in the creation of the beasts.

Working on this book felt like an opportunity to make myths and legends look really fun and interesting, as they should be! If you'd like to learn more about the book and get a glimpse, check out the video!

A short backstory

CMYK or RGB? How to get my first client? How to find my style? Should I get an agent? - These are in the top 10 most commonly asked questions that I hear. Today I wanted to talk a bit about the last one and share with you a very cool update and announcement.

Getting an agent is something that many independent artists dream about. And it's not surprising. Being a creative freelancer means being a one-person band and doing 100 things all at once.

To tell you a funny story, when I started my career, right after I published my first & very scarce online portfolio, I decided to apply to (very few) agencies. Because how else was I supposed to get my first clients? It's really not easy out there. Back then, I assumed that a representation agency would take on every interested illustrator who had reached out and had shown interest in being represented. Nothing further away from the truth.

Time went by, and slowly but steadily, I continued working on my portfolio, getting more and more clients along the way on my own, growing as an artist, creator, and bussiness woman. The more my portfolio was growing and the more confident I felt as an artist, I began to receive offers of representation. It may come as a surprise to some of you, but they were not always that appealing! The draft agreements I read were sometimes very vague and sometimes really restrictive, in a way that felt almost detrimental to the artist. I also got a chance of having a brief contact with some agents, and on some occasions I noticed we wouldn't be a good match on a personality level, as some seemed very old school. As your agent will be the person to accompany you through every project, that compatibility is something that I don't think should be ignored.

Throughout the years, I started to get familiar with what makes a good agent or a great agent, talking to other artists, looking really closely at those agencies that really do a great job. And also understanding that agents are not only there to get you clients. It’s a two way street, a partnership, a team.

Early this year I decided to give another thought to the idea of representation, as I felt that there were a few converging points in my career that could turn this into a great opportunity, so I started talking with a few. In July this year, Closer & Closer reached out to me.

I was really excited about the new perspectives this partnership might bring. I'm sure many of you're familiar with the awesome work they've been doing and the artists they represent, but in short and in their words, “Closer & Closer represent artists from around the world and connect them with world-class clients, to do what  they do best - create unforgettable visual experiences through illustration, animation and design”.

And, of course, I said yes. I can't tell you guys how excited I am about this new opportunity! I met the C&C team, and they're amazing and so are the few artists from the roster I met so far.

I can’t wait to bring you all along for this journey!

Islets - The Little Mouse Warrior

Even though I'm not the biggest fan of platform games (very tired of Limbo remakes!) you know that I'm gonna be playing a game whenever the graphics are beautiful! And Islets really is amazing in that aspect.

In short, the main character Iko is a mouse warrior on a mission to reconnect floating islands, and to fix a broken world. He's got to fulfill his task while battling some tough foes. Islets is this surprisingly cool game where you make friends while piecing the world back together.

The more islands you reunite and the more buddies you make, the more of this world opens up for Iko to explore.

Now, for me, Islets wasn't easy at all. My clumsy Xbox fingers lacked speed and reflex, even though I set the game up on an easy level (not ashamed at all, it was still hard!). But it was totally worth it, as the aesthetics, music, and overall vibe of the game really made it a fun experience and a pleasure to be part of.

The Creative Draft Hub is more than just a platform; it's a vibrant learning ecosystem dedicated to us, illustrators & visual artists. We've designed a space where your artistic talents can be nurtured and cultivated through a variety of features and opportunities.

COMMUNITY HUB

From focused exercises and personalized mentorship to peer feedback and business approach.

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

Keep on reading, and I’ll share with you my strategy, how to find clients and customers, and create artistic networks.

The Menu for This Week:

🌳 A tool to find Customers

🌳 A tool to find Clients

🌳 A tool for Networking

New Customers*

Let’s define customers as any individuals that would love to get the products you offer for their private use or brands/stores who are interested in wholesale.

The first one and the most ‘underrated’ one of them all is…

….Pinterest. This one wasn’t a surprise if you watched my last video! There I talk all about how Pinterest boosted my sales, drew traffic to my shop, and helped me make a living back when I was working hard on creating my portfolio and trying to get into the illustration world.

I’m strongly convinced that Pinterest gained such a strong place in our hearts as an “inspo board” that we forgot we could use it in any other way. Pinning stuff is a passion of ours (my ‘kitchen’ mood board is dated back to 2013), but Pinterest is so much more!

If you are an artist, maker or illustrator, and you’re not using Pinterest to showcase and promote your stuff, I think you’ve been missing out! Check out how you could introduce this simple tool into your marketing strategy in my video.

New Clients*

*Clients understood as companies, brands, editorials, publishing houses, marketing agencies etc., that could hire you and commission you for a job, acquire a license, or similar.

It’s not the first time I’m gonna share a few words about LinkedIn here in this publication. This only shows how much I think it deserves your attention. I myself had been avoiding LinkedIn like fire for years, as suited-up people in professional power poses don’t seem to be the kind of crowd who would enjoy illustrations of animals wearing overalls and chubby tigers smiling.

But you know who else is on there? Your potential clients! Art directors, brand managers, self-publishing authors, whoever you’re looking for, chances might be, they’re hanging out on LinkedIn!

Creating your space there means that you’ll have your own small corner to express yourself, share things you find interesting or important (not for blogging, just professional work), and above all, you might connect with your next dream client! Even if a collaboration doesn’t come up instantly after connecting, you never know who noticed you and saved your details for when the right project comes up.

And use it right, engage, comment, and share your achievements, talking to a very professionalized platform.

Just as with everything, I always recommend planning at least one post a week, a rule I should stick to more myself, but also interact with the community in a non-spammy way.

This way, you stay active, but remember to post things that might be relevant to the community you’ve been building on there. It doesn’t have to be exclusively your work or achievements, but also some interesting bits about the subjects that interest you and (maybe?) are reflected in your work.

Give it a try. And let me know if this is a video you’d like to see. I have a lot to share about this topic in particular.

Artistic Network

Every time I find out an illustrator I like doesn’t have a website…. I ask myself a big huge WHY in caps. Why? Where is your website? Where did you hide it? Where is it? Why are you staying in the shadows?

Your own website is the bare minimum of an online presence for an illustrator. It shows you’re taking yourself and your work seriously enough to have invested time and/or money and/or energy into creating and maintaining one. It doesn’t have to be anything super-awesome cool, just a regular simple website to show your work, projects and a few words about you. You can consider Zyro, Wix, Squarespace, or even Adobe Folio (which comes ‘free’ with an Adobe subscription). Watch out for WordPress if you’re not a website wizard. You can check out my struggles with WP a few posts ago.

Think about setting up your Behance if:

• you’re taking your first steps in art, illustration, and crafts and still are testing the waters

• you have absolutely no idea how to create a website and/or no time to dive into it at the moment

• you’re gathering the courage to start showing and sharing your work online

• don’t want to invest in your own website YET

• have your own website, but want to improve your searchability

• enjoy the super quick and easy process of uploading your projects

• wanna be present in one more space. The more online platforms you can be present on (in a mindful and active way), the better

My personal experience with Behance was on and off. I had it when I was working as an interior architect and designer, I had it when I designed and made jewelry and I had it when I took my first steps in creating my illustration portfolio, only to abandon and close it sometime after.

I re-opened my Behance profile about a year ago, and even though I’m not the most active one there, I know it’s yet one more space where my work can be found and spotted online. One sneaky detail I noticed and always like mentioning - Behance is an Adobe product, so all the projects created with Adobe tools will receive more spotlight there. So if you work with Procreate (like me) or any other program or traditionally, ignore that and start sharing your work without any pressure!

Youtube=Money?

If you’ve ever wondered how much an artist makes on Youtube, that’s what my next publication (and the video) will be about, with a special guest.

• Can you make a living out of it?

• Can you get rich (cha-ching) by making videos?

• Is it worth the time from a purely monetary standpoint?

• Does the investment in the recording gear pay off?

The Creative Draft Hub is more than just a platform; it's a vibrant learning ecosystem dedicated to us, illustrators & visual artists. We've designed a space where your artistic talents can be nurtured and cultivated through a variety of features and opportunities.

COMMUNITY HUB

From focused exercises and personalized mentorship to peer feedback and business approach.

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

We'll take a deep dive into the essence of The New Creative Draft - what’s our goal and how we're evolving to foster a more supportive and enriching space for artists like you. A major highlight will be presenting our Illustrator Fee Calculator, a toolset to support you in pricing your work. Cheers to demystifying illustration pricing complexities together!

Lastly, we'll discuss the expansive scope of The Creative Draft and how I, alongside Asia, will be facilitating the growth of this new creative ecosystem. So, strap in for a journey through the intriguing landscape of art, creativity, and the business side of things. In English and Spanish as well.

The Menu for This Week

🌳 Meet and Greet, Me :)

🌳 Free Fee Calculator (Beta)

🌳 The New Creative Daft

Meet and Greet

“My name is Pedro, that is my name.. they call me Pedro, coz that's my name...”

Hey there, Creative Drafters! My name is Pedro. You might see me as the new face around here, and yes, this is my first piece for The Creative Draft. I can’t believe I’m writing something that will be read & reshared by most likely by more than 19.000 people.

I bring with me a world where finance meets creativity - an eclectic blend of an executive finance leader and a passionate content creator. As a startup founder in the creator economy and a global business advisor, I've had some incredible opportunities to learn, grow, and help others along the way. Now, I'm thrilled to bring that same spirit to this amazing creative community.

Why should you listen to me, you might ask?

Well, I've walked the path. I've worked closely with creators, artists, and illustrators. I've felt the excitement of watching ideas come alive and the nervousness of pricing creative work, especially when starting out. It's this shared experience that drives me to make your journey smoother, more comprehensible, and yes, more successful. We're in this together, ready to turn your passion into a thriving, fulfilling career.

Speaking of, let's talk about The Creative Draft platform.

The Creative Draft isn't just a Substack publication anymore; it has evolve into a creative community, a supportive network, and a learning platform that will launch soon in June. We’re here to fuel your creative ambitions, lend you that extra push to bring your ideas to fruition, and create a safe, friendly environment where we lift each other up.

The Illustrator Calculator

Now, onto an exciting feature, we're introducing: the Illustrator Fee Calculator. This Beta tool is designed to guide those who are unsure about how to price their projects or need a ballpark estimate. And this is totally FREE for anyone to use and share.

I’ve noticed that pricing and price negotiations tend to be the most challenging ones, especially to anyone new to the illustration business. There are not many shared resources in the industry, and most are hush-hush. But we can change that; a more open and transparent pricing will help every creative to achieve fair pricing.

So, how does it work?

First, you input core information about your project, like the type of the commission, license, territory coverage, number of reviews, and size of the project. Then you add extra info, such as if the client needs a copyright buyout, rush fees, and considerations for the project's complexity and potential re-uses.

The Calculator then provides three basic pricing strategies, giving you a low-end, an industry average, and a high-end rate. It's like having a pricing guide right at your fingertips! And remember this is in the Beta feature so the results might not be 100% accurate, and feedback from the community will be key.

CHECK THE CALCULATOR

The Creative Draft doesn’t stop at the Calculator. We’re building a comprehensive palette (wink) of learning experiences - courses, workshops, and even a mentorship program.

On top of that, I will be working on a class called “The Art Of Pricing,” where I will cover not only how to calculate pricing but also how to do it right. Pricing is just the very first part, other considerations are necessary, such as negotiations, type of licenses, extras, and how to make sure if you take a 6-month project or a 2-week project, the pricing is right, how to communicate price with clients, how to negotiate changes, etc. The list is long.

The New Creative Draft

We are creating a new safe space for the creative community.

Over the past months, Asia and I have been retooling and redesigning The Creative Draft. We wanted more than just a content-sharing platform, we envisioned an expansive and nurturing hub for professional illustrators - an online home where you can learn, connect, and grow.

We tested Patreon and Discord. Patreon felt limited, great for sharing content but not quite for learning. Discord, on the other hand, was like a sprawling city - full of life, yet easy to get lost in.

Neither offered us the flexibility to host a class or a course - something we were really keen on providing. And so, we decided to rework The Creative Draft.

We rolled up our sleeves, booting up the hard drives and tapping away on keyboards, shaping and molding it into what we dreamed it could be - a vibrant community for learning, mentorship, and collaboration.

The focus?

To help you improve your craft, discover your unique style, and grow your art career. We assist with client work, portfolio building, and provide practical help whenever you need it.

That’s where I come in. As part of this creative ecosystem, my goal is to share my insights, financial expertise, and creative business strategies. Questions about pricing or licensing your work? Uncertain about client contracts or content creation strategy? Need advice on building a diverse, sustainable creative business? I’m here to help.

Through mentorship and coaching, I focus on topics like pricing strategies, contracts, negotiation, project management, content strategy, and building a sustainable freelance career. I’m dedicated to helping you grow your creative businesses from the ground up, create new income streams, and forge meaningful connections in the industry.

So here it is, the new and revitalized Creative Draft, it’s now a mix of the vibrant creative community, a learning platform and a mentorship program.

A Vibrant Creative Community

The heart of The Creative Draft lies in its community, The Hub. Here, you're not just an artist or a creator; you're part of a vibrant, nurturing network of fellow creatives. This is a space where inspiration flows freely, where ideas are exchanged, and where everyone supports one another. Our community gives you that extra push to transform your thoughts into action and to keep that creative flame alive. Meet other artists, learn from them, get advice from creative peers, and perhaps, find a collaborator for your next project. This is more than just a group - it's a safe, friendly environment where we uplift each other and celebrate the joy of creation.

A Dynamic Learning Platform

Education and growth are at the core of The Creative Draft. With our diverse range of courses, workshops, and mentorship programs, you're not just improving your art, you're also discovering who you are as an artist. We believe that art is as much about personal growth as it is about skill development. Whether you're a seasoned artist looking for fresh inspiration, or a beginner eager to explore the art world, our learning platform is tailored to support your journey. We go beyond traditional art lessons, offering guidance on growing your art career, building a solid portfolio, and handling client work. It's all about striking the perfect balance between your artistic passion and the practical business side of things.

Personalized Creative Mentorship

Every artist is unique, and so are their needs. That's why we created individual 1:1 mentorship sessions, providing you with customized guidance tailored to your specific goals and challenges. Our sessions are dynamic and personal, addressing your questions related to art, your illustration portfolio, your professional art career journey, or your creative business strategy. With us, you're not just getting generic advice - you're getting a concrete action plan to stay on track and achieve your goals. And this journey doesn't end with a single session. Our coaching plan includes regular follow-ups and assistance, ensuring you always have someone to turn to on your creative journey. Be it in English or Spanish; we're here for you.

At The Creative Draft, we're not just fostering a community or courses - we're building a supportive environment for creative minds to thrive, to learn, to grow, and that’s accessible to everyone.

Disclaimer: The calculator provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute specific pricing advice. The rates generated are not definitive and may not encompass all factors affecting pricing. Pricing decisions should be based on comprehensive research, industry benchmarks, and individual circumstances. We assume no responsibility for the use or interpretation of the calculator's results. Use this information at your own discretion and risk.

Our Planet Week just finished and I'm delighted that so many artists participated despite the obstacles on Instagram. I even tried my hand at simple 2D animation for the first time during the event! Keep on reading

Finally, get ready for Bon Voyage Week, another exciting illustration challenge! More details below

The Menu for This Week

🌳 Advice for artists and illustrators

🌳 Art Challenge ending

🌳 Art Challenge starting

We Are Playgrounds

Having fun at Playgrounds

2 days full of art, inspiring talks, demos, creative tech, and chat. Those of you who visited Playgrounds in Eindhoven this year know how cool the event was!

First of all, huge thanks to all of you who came by my booth to say hi and chat! It was definitely the highlight of the event for me, to be able to get to know you, even so briefly, and learn about your art, creative passions, and skills you’ve been pursuing. It’s always amazing to put a face to your IG Presence and the other way around. I hope to see you again at some art event or market in the future. There were many familiar faces that I had met last year!

I know many of you are interested in the art market scene, as you take part in them yourselves, so I’ll share some things over here, as my YouTube vid from the Playgrounds (watch above!) was made from a different, not so much art market-oriented, angle.

In short, the second day, Friday, was significantly calmer than the first one, where the crowds were crazy! Overall, I brought 150 business cards and ran out of almost all of them! If I learned one thing about illustration merch is that people are absolutely obsessed with stickers! Sticker sales were celebrated at every stand; the contemplation of which ones to choose and the deliberation before each sticker purchase was endearing.

So, Art market sellers, add some cool illustrated stickers to your merch, and you’ll be golden! Another cool thing was to see the variety of totes made and offered by different artists, and it makes me so so happy to have seen so many of you sporting my Tiger Tote inside and outside of the venue.

After participating in Playgrounds Fest, I felt inspired, which, if you ask me, is the ultimate goal of any art-related event. To keep the inspiration flowing, I’ve been rewatching the replays of last year’s talks & interviews to keep me company while working at my desk, digging out older interviews and illustration process videos from my fave artists on YouTube as well. Learning about other artists’ practices and experiences has been invaluable and motivating, but more on that soon.

In case you haven’t seen it yet, I made a short impression on my YouTube from the Festival experience about the importance of events, such as this one, for artists.

Our Planet Week

Our 4th edition just ended!

I can’t believe it’s already been the 4th year we’ve been making art during Our Planet Week together! I’m so moved that so many artists joined us, in spite of a big barrier that Instagram, the platform where Our Planet Week event was born, has been building in between us, cutting our reach and hiding our posts from each other. We even had the youngest participant in OPW's history, an 8-year-old artist; see her work below.

This edition of Our Planet Week was a special one for me because I challenged myself and branched a bit more from my usual illustration work. A goal of mine for a very long time was to take the first steps in simple 2D animation. You might notice here that my goal wasn’t even to “learn” or “master” animation but just to give it a go. Try it, see for myself if I enjoy it, do something different, and give another dimension to my illustrations. For many reasons, inconveniences, “lack of time,” but mostly fear, I was constantly pushing this idea away and procrastinating.

And so when Our Planet Week got closer, I decided that now was a perfect moment to do so. I prepared five simple illustrations. For some reason, I don’t like working chronologically; my natural rebellion against numbers. I started working on the last prompt first, leaving for the end first one, “Ecosystem.” It actually worked out pretty well for me because when the time came to create the first illu, I already knew some very basic rules of simple animation.

As a result, the first illustration I created and animated is my favorite one, and the last one, “Habitat”, wasn’t even posted on my feed, only in stories, as it was so bad:)  I’m hoping to make a short video of my Our Planet Week pieces with their animated background, we will see how it goes!

Last but not least, huge thanks to the amazing team of artists that helped prepare the challenge, kept you company along the way, and created awesome art themselves! I wanted to give a huge Thank you to my amazing 2023 hosting team; everyone was incredible and did a fantastic job! A special shout-out to:

• Karla, for being such an engaged and involved host @karlasandersart

• Nina, who hosted the event for the first time and did a great job @janinarossiter

• Stefan, for his super informative posts; thank you for educating us all @styngvi

• Meg for engaging so much with all the participants! @megbudart

Thank you so much, guys! And huge applause to our partner, One Tree Planted, for supporting the initiative! Very soon, I’ll let you guys know how many trees we managed to add to our Planet together this year!

Bon Voyage Week

Another exciting challenge!

If you love illustration, travels & challenges, be ready for Bon Voyage Week! All the challenge details and itineraries have already been announced over on my Instagram. Together in a cozy squad of awesome illustrators, we’ll be traveling wherever we want to, thanks to our art. It’s also the 4th edition for this one, and I warmly invite you to join us, as over those years, I’ve seen artists creating some truly incredible art during this challenge.

Look for the illustration of Mugo, the little bat, on my IG feed for all the details and info you need! I hope to see you over at #bonvoyageweek2023!

Disclaimer: This is a newsletter, and you can opt-out at any time; there’s a link below where you can automatically unsubscribe. I wouldn’t like to see you go, but you have the option. Also, some links, not all, might be affiliate links; when you click on them, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

My idea is to guide you toward unlocking your full creative potential, refining your unique artistic voice, and cultivating a rewarding and sustainable career in the art world. And I’ll do it in English or Spanish, depending on what you prefer.

Here's what I'm working on:

🌟 The Creative Draft 1:1 Coaching and Cohort Sessions: I plan to provide customized coaching tailored to your individual needs, covering aspects like portfolio enhancement, career strategy, creative inspiration, artistic style discovery, and exploring diverse career paths in illustration and art. This will be for a very, very limited number of people. As a full-time illustrator myself, I want to make sure I’ll be able to give every mentee the time and attention they deserve.

As a member of a cohort, you'll also have access to the membership, collaborative tasks and networking opportunities with fellow artists and more.

🚀 The Creative Draft Membership: the membership will grant you access to a private community (not on Slack or Discord, but a specially prepared and designed online platform ) where you can engage with other artists and illustrators, as well as recorded recourse sessions. I’m also thinking about guest artists, podcasts, AMAs, and weekly creative exercises in various creative fields to keep working on those areas we need the most. Additionally, you'll have access to "office hours" for creative business guidance for creatives, tools, and content.

💡 Some of the benefits of Joining The Creative Draft By participating in our coaching program or membership, you'll:

1. Gain personalized guidance and support from my collaborators.

2. Build your unique artistic voice and style.

3. Master crucial creative business skills.

4. Connect with a nurturing community of like-minded artists and illustrators.

5. Access valuable resources and exclusive content.

6. Free resources, like my Procreate Brushes, Notion templates, and more.

7. English spaces, also Spanish for the spanish-speaking community - I might add more later.

I'm passionate about empowering emerging artists to thrive, and I know how hard it can be. I’ve been putting content out there for a few years now on YouTube and different platforms, but I wanted to create a space that connects us in conversations, even 1:1. This is where most social networks fail to provide that space. I'm confident that with the right support, community, and guidance, you can achieve your creative aspirations and build a fulfilling career in art.

This is still in the works, I need to fine-tune a lot of details, and I need your input right now, so if this is something you’d be interested in, please help me out by filling out the survey below, and I’ll make sure to reach out to you first when it officially launches, and give you some cool discounts and more.

Together, let's empower our artistic journey and make a lasting impact in the world of art and illustration! 🎨🌟